Archelaus

AI summary: Archelaus matters because his single cross reference places him as a continuing political threat in the shadow of Herod's brutality. His rule helps shape the Holy Family's movement toward Galilee and thus the geographical setting of Jesus' upbringing. Taken together, the material presents Archelaus as a ruler whose feared reputation redirects the path of the infancy story.¹

Ruler of the people, son of Herod the Great, by Malthace, a Samaritan woman. He was educated along with his brother Antipas at Rome. He inherited from his father a third part of his kingdom viz., Idumea, Judea, and Samaria, and hence is called “king” (Matt. 2:22). It was for fear of him that Joseph and Mary turned aside on their way back from Egypt. Till a few days before his death Herod had named Antipas as his successor, but in his last moments he named Archelaus. ³